Madison WI vs Sacramento CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.8% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $42,300 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 36.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $480,548 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.9% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.0% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 61.0°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.0 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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